Manchester United could face their biggest game of the season so far against Chelsea without their club record signing after Angel Di Maria limped out of their 2-2 draw with West Brom.

Di Maria cost United £59.7m in the summer as he completed his transfer from Real Madrid, and he has proven to be one of United’s most influential players in their inconsistent start to the season.

It will be because of his growing influence in the side that Louis van Gaal will fear he could be without him for the visit of Chelsea this Sunday in what will be United’s biggest test since the Dutchman took over.

The Argentinian continued his good form on Monday night as he set-up United’s first equaliser, which saw Marouane Fellaini bag his first competitive goal for the club since completing his £27.5m move from Everton in the summer of 2013.

West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings

West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings

1/23
Boaz Myhill

Deputising for the injured Foster, he was called into action to deny Van Persie moments after West Brom’s opener, before Di Maria stung his palms with a rasping effort on the half-hour mark. Could do nothing to stop either Fellaini or Blind’s equalisers. 6

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2/23
Andre Wisdom

The man on loan from Liverpool delivered a pinpoint ball from which Sessegnon fired home to hand West Brom the lead, and showed both solidity and composure in defensive areas. 7

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3/23
Joleon Lescott

Unpunished after being caught napping by Januzaj, the former Manchester City man should have scored against his old rivals but instead blazed his header over the bar. Will feel aggrieved having appeared to have been pushed in the build-up to Fellaini’s goal. 6

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4/23
Craig Dawson

Starting to form an important partnership alongside Lescott, but was caught out on occasions by Di Maria’s quick-step movement.
Troubled by the strength and presence of Fellaini in the second half. 6

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5/23
Sebastien Pocognoli

Like Wisdom he offered decent cover for his centre backs, but unlike the right back, failed to offer much attacking threat down the flank.
Perhaps fortunate not to have conceded a penalty after a clear handball. While it may not have been deliberate, it certainly fell into the ‘you’ve seen them given’ category. 5

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6/23
Craig Gardner

Disciplined display from the former Sunderland man. Seemed to stay deeper than usual, and certainly unleashed less pot-shots on goal.
Tracked back expertly to cut out a dangerous cross with ten minutes remaining. 5

7/23
Chris Brunt

8/23
James Morrison

Booked for a strong challenge on Herrera in the first half, Morrison’s punchy display helped break up United’s play as the Baggies enjoyed long spells of possession. 5

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9/23
Graham Dorrans

Delightfully flicked the ball onto Wisdom to outsmart Luke Shaw in the build-up to Sessegnon’s goal, the Scot caused United numerous problems down their left side. 6

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10/23
Stephane Sessegnon

Spanked a thunderous drive past De Gea into the top corner to score his first league goal of the season, as the Baggies took an eighth-minute lead.
Linked up well with Berahino throughout the match, and received rapturous applause when brought off in the final minutes. 7

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11/23
Saido Berahino

Scored the winner at Old Trafford last season, and put the Baggies ahead with a superb finish just after the hour mark. Jones may well come up against Van Persie, Rooney and Falcao week in week out at training, but the United man simply couldn’t handle Berahino. 8

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12/23
David De Gea

There was little the Spaniard could do about either West Brom goal. Had little else to do aside from the two times he picked the ball out of the net. 5

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13/23
Rafael Da Silva

Was always eager to get forward and produced some decent crosses. Defensively still looks uncertain, with he and Phil Jones too far apart for Berahino's goal. 5

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14/23
Phil Jones

Made some good clearances and showed his ability to read the game in the first half, but at fault for West Brom's second goal. 5

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15/23
Marcos Rojo

Looked an absolute liability throughout. Was not tight enough for Sessegnon's goal, positioned himself incorrectly throughout and lost Lescott at a corner, from which he was fortunate to get away without being punished. The Argentinian does not look like a centre-back. Booked in injury time to cap things off. 2

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16/23
Luke Shaw

Seemed to be targeted by West Brom and it paid off for the hosts with the England international too far upfield to help his team-mates out before Sessegnon scored. Showed his ability getting forward. 4

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17/23
Daley Blind

Played that midfield anchor role, broke up some plays and distributed decently. Yet got overrun as United pushed for a goal and found himself in the book for a professional foul. His late equaliser to make it 2-2 was sublime. 7

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18/23
Ander Herrera

Coming back from a rib injury, Herrera showed a surprisingly high work rate. But he must have pushed himself too hard as was replaced with Fellaini at half time. 5

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19/23
Angel Di Maria

Was by far the best Manchester United player on the pitch. Displayed a great touch, showed off his crossing ability and came close to scoring with a swerving effort. Replaced with Ashley Young on 75 minutes. 7

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20/23
Juan Mata

Became a little lost amongst the West Brom midfielders and shot high and wide from a decent free-kick position. Nowhere near his best night. Replaced by Radamel Falcao. 5

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21/23
Adnan Januzaj

Aside from the odd decent cross, Januzaj was well marshalled by the West Brom defence and as a result struggled to make much of an impact. Smashed over the bar when the goal was gaping. 4

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22/23
Robin van Persie

Scuffed a decent chance early on and appeared to struggle playing as the lone-striker. His best chance in the first-half came thanks to himself when he dispossessed Lescott. Looked more of a danger when Falcao came on, striking the post after the pair linked up. 6

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23/23
Best off the bench: Marouane Fellaini

Within moments of coming on at the break, scored a stunner. Played a weird role that saw him acting as a striker one minute and scampering around breaking things up in midfield the next. Certainly caused West Brom problems. 7

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Fellaini had only just come off the bench when he dragged United back into the match as they were trailing 1-0 before the Belgian struck, and Di Maria remained on the pitch until the 76th minute when he was replaced by Ashley Young. Appearing to be in some discomfort, the United physio immediately wrapped his leg as Chris Smalling, Ander Herrera and Ryan Giggs looked on with concern.

Video: Premier League roundup

Di Maria has settled well to life at Old Trafford having left the European champions in the summer, and has already scored three goals for the club despite them winning just three of their eight Premier League matches this season. It is his four assists though that has seen him become such an integral figure in the side, and with Wayne Rooney still absent through suspension for the game against the Blues, Van Gaal will be determined to have Di Maria available at all costs.

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United’s injury concerns have been eased somewhat when you compare their absent players to those that were sidelined before the recent international break. Phil Jones returned to the starting line-up for the draw with the Baggies while Smalling was fit enough to feature on the bench. However, the biggest boost came with Michael Carrick’s appearance among the substitutes, although Van Gaal resisted the urge to put him one for his first appearance of the season.